Grain Yield and Water Productivity of Irrigated Rice Affected by Transplanting Dates in Bangladesh

Abstract

Selection of suitable transplanting window is essential for getting desired crop yield and optimizing irrigation water. This study was conducted in four different locations of Bangladesh (Gazipur, Mymensingh, Cumilla and Bogura districts) to investigate the effect of transplanting period on irrigation water productivity during irrigated rice (Boro) cultivation. Ceres-rice model incorporated in DSSAT was used to estimate rice grain yield and agronomic parameters for Boro 2016-17. Daily weather data and soil data were collected from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI). The estimated irrigation scheduling using CROPWAT- 8.0 model was used as input to the DSSAT model. Rainfall distribution showed only about 22% (2% in winter and 20% in pre-monsoon) of annual rainfall occurred in irrigated rice growing period. Delay transplanting after 15 December, the cultivar BRRI dhan28 faced higher mean daily temperature resulted shorter life span. The increased seasonal mean temperature by 2.8ºC in Gazipur and Bogura and 2.6ºC in Mymensingh and Cumilla from 15 December to 01 March reduced growth duration by 24 days in Gazipur, Mymensingh and Bogura and by 26 days in Cumilla district. Cumilla received the maximum rainfall, however Gazipur experienced the lowest among the four study locations. The received rainfall amount increased with the advancement of transplanting date from 15 December. The increased rainfall reduced the irrigation demand of the cultivar. On the contrary, reduced growth duration due to delay transplanting decreased the grain yield. Transplanting up to 1 February produced almost similar grain yield, while irrigation demand decreased from 15 December transplanting. Water productivity showed increasing trend for late transplanting. Considering grain yield and irrigation water productivity, 15 January to 1 February transplanting were found suitable transplanting period for the study locations. Rice crop establishment within the recommended period could be optimized the grain yield and irrigation water productivity in the selected study locations. Thus, maximum coverage of rainfall can be reduced the irrigation demand. Consequently, it may help to optimize groundwater use and to arrest the groundwater mining.

Bangladesh Rice J. 25 (2) : 21-30, 2021